Bethan Jenkins AC/AM South Wales West

Plaid Cymru Assembly Member for South Wales West, Bethan Jenkins has today written to the Home Office to request that Babi Badalov, an asylum seeker from Azerbaijan is not deported. This is in light of Babi’s recent detention in Cardiff, with removal directions given for the 20th of September. Babi, an artist from Azerbaijan has endured persecution due to his sexuality and the radical nature of his creative activities by the government in Azerbaijan, and his brother has threatened to kill him due to the fact that homosexuality is deemed unacceptable to many in the country.

Speaking from her office in Neath today, Ms Jenkins said:

“I met Babi when I spoke at an event to display his art in Bute Street Art Centre, Cardiff earlier this year. He has contributed so much to the community here in Wales, and I have therefore written to Jacqui Smith MP at the Home Office to appeal against his now imminent deportation. If he is forced to return to Azerbaijan, he faces an unhappy and unstable future, with his own family threatening to kill him due to his sexuality.”

Bethan Jenkins added:

“We must support asylum seekers such as Babi, and there is an obligation on the Westminster government to defend those people who face persecution in their respective countries. Wales has welcomed Babi with open arms, and it is deeply frustrating that the National Assembly for Wales does not have the powers to overturn decisions to deport asylum seekers who are clearly in danger.

“I have helped with the cases of many asylum seekers in my region, and throughout Wales. I intend to raise this issue with the First Minister at the National Assembly to encourage him to liaise with his Westminster colleagues on this urgent matter.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For more information go to the website http://noborderswales.wordpress.com